Heritage Grants
The mussel is a perfect indicator of the health of a river and its ecology – therefore the importance of this work cannot be understated.
The conservation process was combined with a programme of volunteering opportunities and learning activities developed to involve local schools, community groups, landowners and businesses in the project.
The mussel is an ancient relic from the Ice Age over 10,000 years ago and is thought to be one of Ireland’s oldest species. The microscopic larvae of the mussels attach to the gills of young trout or salmon and develop into juveniles before falling off and burrowing into the river gravel. They are a UK priority species, and the Upper Ballinderry River is designated as a Special Area of Conservation due to their presence there.
Building on a successful 15-year breeding and rearing project at the Ballinderry hatchery, the new project improved the river habitat, reducing the build-up of silt and creating a sanctuary site. The sanctuary site also brought together wild adult mussels, unable to breed due to their isolation, and hatchery reared juvenile mussels. This was to encourage the mussels to breed in their natural habitat of the river.